Looking for insight into the best tractor mower based on application: I’m not looking for grooming just rough cut for brush and grasses. I’m kind of leaning into a flail mower based on the compact nature and ability to easily transport but undecided. Thoughts?
A) Flail Mower
B) Mid Mount Belly Mower
C) Rotary/Brush Hog

C. Brush hog. Good overall mower

If you don't have many rocks to contend with a flail mower will leave a better finish than a traditional rotary cutter ( brush hog ) The brush hog style does cut faster though. Belly mowers are usually finish mower and don't do well in brush as a rule. With the rough ground, thick brush and rocks I have here, I went with a rotary cutter. 5 foot wide on a 35 hp tractor. It will cut saplings up to about wrist thickness with no issues. It does get noisy back there then though.

Flail mowers don't much like uneven ground either. I have both rotary and flail but for your purpose I think you'll be happier with a rotary.

Another. Vote for rotary mowers.

No matter what you get, If you're putting on compact tractor make sure pto drive shaft doesn't bottom out when you raise it
up all the way. Good way to snap off pto shaft on tractor.

During my golf course building career, I have used all types mentioned. The needs you mentioned are 100% brush hog territory. A brush hog has the easiest maintenance also. Make darn sure it has a stump jumper disc for blade mounting. Also understand the slip clutch or shear bolt setup. Make sure slip clutch works right or only shear bolts are used in PTO shaft. Splitting tractors to fix PTO problems just sucks. I ran 60 HP 8 foot hogs down to 4 foot 24 hp hogs. Flails are great for tough weeds but not saplings and belly mowers are close to a finish mower, and will clog and bog in heavy un mowed growth.

Noisy for sure! Sometimes backing over the saplings is better, but gosh that gets old quick on a big job.

They been clearing powerline right aways in my area this spring. They're using skid steers with hammer type brush shredders. Not sure of exact name, those beasts pulverize right to the dirt everything! I wish we had those back when I cleared land for fairways. I saw a machine pulverize 20 inch stumps with a Cat 279 skid steer.

You can get those shredders Pro driven these days as well depending on their size you need a tractor with 35 hp and up ..... I want a rock crusher but my tractor does not have the power to run one

I like sickle bar mowers to be honest.

I’d go rotary, as balancing a fail can be an issue.

For the reasons mentioned and many more, get a rotary cutter. I recommend buying a Woods. You may be paying a little more and getting a better quality machine.

As a bonus, if you learn how to setup a brush hog, and how to use it, and use it regularly, you will get excellent results.

Finding what you want may be difficult. Inventories are low now and used junk is selling high.

I have a 7 footer for a 70hp tractor and a 5 footer for a 35hp tractor that do a great job.

Flail mowers are less robust than bushhogs but provide a better finish. If finish isn't important, go bushhog.

I have a Woods 59-c I'd love to get configured to my 3 point tractor.
If any of you have done so please pm me. Even with a pony motor?

I've ran two Woods 42s, worked great.

I have both on a 70 horse tractor just got the flail last fall so opinion in the making on it used it on corn stubble both rated for 3 inch dia. brush I don't see it unless i replace them every year the flail does offset which is nice for road edges from what little i've seen the hog is faster and had it 15 years mowin around apple trees i just back up not going to happen with a flail Live power is a must or at least an overrunning clutch
Before i had either i used a sicklebar mower that worked too

Jeff - I agree that cutting 3” with a brush hog is loud and hard on the cutter and tractor. I rarely do it and go for smaller. It is easy to cut them off with a chainsaw.

I run a 6' flail on a 38 HP tractor. It cuts field grass, brush and small saplings and does a nicer job than my dads rotary. The cuttings are chopped up very fine. The flail does have issues if you get into cattails. I think that stuff would also bind up a rotary. Having a lot less hanging off the back is a huge plus when turning in tight areas.

My property is primarily uneven ground and an old homestead site. Any old barbed wire and water pipe will get wrapped up in the flail. You'll find all of that stuff in short order.

Also a plus that I can offset the flail and cut under pasture fencing.

Offsetting the flail sounds interesting.

A lot of insightful feedback- and even more to think about.
Appreciate the input